Food Processing Technologies to Develop Functional Foods With Enriched Bioactive Phenolic Compounds in Cereals

Cereal grains and products provide calories globally. The health benefits of cereals attributed to their diverse phenolic constituents have not been systematically explored. Post-harvest processing, such as drying, storing, and milling cereals, can alter the phenolic concentration and influence the antioxidant activity. Furthermore, cooking has been shown to degrade thermo-labile compounds. This review covers several methods for retaining and enhancing the phenolic content of cereals to develop functional foods. These include using bioprocesses such as germination, enzymatic, and fermentation treatments designed to enhance the phenolics in cereals. In addition, physical processes like extrusion, nixtamalization, and parboiling are discussed to improve the bioavailability of phenolics. Recent technologies utilizing ultrasound, micro- or nano-capsule polymers, and infrared utilizing processes are also evaluated for their effectiveness in improving the phenolics content and bio-accessibility. We also present contemporary products made from pigmented cereals that contain phenolics.

Assessment of In Vitro Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Potentials of Methanol Extract of Chrysophyllum albidum Cotyledon

Background: This study was aimed at analysing the phytochemicals in Chrysophyllum albidum cotyledon extract and their in vitro antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. Methods: The Chrysophyllum albidum cotyledon methanol extract (CCME) was phytochemically screened, and flavonoids and phenol contents, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory assays were carried out on the extract using standard procedures. Results: Phytochemicals analysis revealed the presence of steroids, tannins, flavonoid, saponin, triterpenes and xanthoproteins. The phenolic concentration, total flavonoids concentration and sugar concentration were found to be 26.720.048 μg of Tannic Acid Equivalent (TAE /mg, 23.121.92 μg of Rutin Equivalent (RTE)/mg (10.491.12 μg of Quercetin Equivalent (QE)/mg) and 778.3812.82 μg of glucose/ml respectively. The extract demonstrated significant (P<0.05) inhibitory effect compared with the standards as potent antioxidant with DPPH IC50 of 550.52 ± 82.83 μg/ml, lipid peroxidation (45.85 % – 65.85 %), Ferric reducing power showed linear correlation to the standard and the anti-inflammatory potential with (22.06 % – 26.37 %) percentage protection of the human red blood membrane stability and the percentage inhibition of denaturation of albumin (3.42 % – 7.32 %). Conclusion: The study showed that C. albidum cotyledon methanol extract is a potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agent to oxidative stress and pathological disease caused by reactive species.

Reducing the Bitter Taste of Virgin Olive Oil Don Carlo by Microbial and Vegetable Enzymes Linked to the Colloidal Fraction

Bitter taste is a positive sensory attribute that correlates with the concentration of phenols in olive oil. However, excessive bitterness can be perceived by consumers as a negative attribute. The aim of this investigation was to improve the process of debittering Don Carlo extra virgin olive oil (EVOO), which is rich in phenols, through blending with newly produced Leccino EVOOs, which can provide high oleuropeinolytic activity. The debittering process of blending Don Carlo EVOO with two types of Leccino EVOOs (decanter and settled EVOO), was carried out during three months of storage in canisters placed in fixed positions, or periodically inverted to prevent sedimentation. The reduction in phenolic concentration and bitterness index (K225 value) reached maximum values of 51% and 42% respectively in Don Carlo EVOO mixed with Leccino settled EVOO after three months of storage in periodically inverted containers. Analytical indices and sensory analysis, in accord with bitterness index (K225) results, confirmed a reduction or elimination of bitter taste in the oil samples depending on the type of Leccino EVOO added, and the sample storage method. All analytical results remained within parameters established by the European Community regulations for commercial merceological class EVOO.

Effects of phenolic enrichment on vitamin C and antioxidant activity of commercial orange juice

The autoxidation process of vitamin C in orange juice is the most important cause of quality loss during its storage. We evaluated the enrichment with different concentrations of a phenolic extract in a commercial orange juice for some qualitative parameters such as the content of vitamin C, phenolic compounds, and antioxidant activity. The lowest concentration of phenols produced the most stable enriched juice. In particular, we observed an inverse correlation between phenolic concentration and vitamin C retention in enriched juices. DPPH assay results confirmed this trend, correlated more to the vitamin antioxidant effect. TEAC results instead, were similar for the different juice samples, probably influenced by the phenolic content. The application of this study is the production for the industry of new functional drinks such as juices enriched with phenolic ingredients that show increased stability concerning those without addiction.

Polyphenol-Rich Extracts of Traditional Culinary Spices and Herbs and Their Antibacterial Activity in Minced Beef

This study was conducted to elucidate minced beef stabilization properties of hydroalcoholic extracts of commonly used culinary spices from Pakistan against meat oxidative stress and microbial spoilage. Hydroalcoholic extracts of six selected spices, namely, onion, ginger, turmeric, coriander, fennel, and mint, were evaluated to inhibit microbial growth in minced beef under refrigerated storage (4°C) of nine days. Maximum phenolic concentration, i.e., 70.8 mg GAE/100 g, and free radical scavenging activity (75.9%) were anticipated by hydromethanolic extracts of ginger. The results propose that the addition of hydroalcoholic extracts of ginger and coriander @ 6.0% anticipate significantly (p<0.05) higher inhibitory effects against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. The results of this research conclude that the utilization of hydroalcoholic extracts may serve as a promising approach to preserve microbiological as well as the oxidative quality of minced beef and products of meat origin.

Sensory Evaluation of Wheat Bran Biscuits Mixed with Flaxseed

Biscuit consumption is considered one of the top ten daily consumed foods [1]. The objective of this study was acceptability of biscuit containing three different combinations of powders of wheat bran, flaxseed and wheat viz., 25:75:0, 0:50:50, 20:80:0 were used to prepare 100gms flour mix. Acceptance was assessed using a hedonic scale of nine points. It was noticed that incorporation of flaxseed flour at 80% was unacceptable in biscuit. At this level of incorporation of flaxseed flour, the sensory properties of the product were affected i.e., flavour and taste wise, body and texture, colour and appearance and overall quality whereas 75% addition of flaxseed flour produced good results [2]. The antioxidant activity, phenolic concentration was linearly increased as the fortification was increased [1]. Data revealed that the overall acceptability of biscuit ranged from 9 to 7. This indicated that the recipes were found to fall under the category of ‘like extremely to like moderately’. It can finally be discerned from the sensory scores for biscuit prepared with 75% incorporation of flaxseed flour with 25% of wheat bran flour, that the biscuit was equally acceptable as that of control [2]. The acceptability of sensory characteristics was improved by this fortification immediately after preparation and during storage [3].